Ellina Abovian Bio, Age, Net Worth, KTLA Career & Family 2026

Ellina Abovian is an Emmy-nominated Armenian-American broadcast journalist, storyteller, and podcast host who spent over a decade as a beloved general assignment reporter for KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles. Known for her authentic connection with audiences and dedication to community storytelling, Abovian has become a prominent voice in Southern California media while proudly representing her immigrant heritage and Armenian roots.

Quick bio

Early Life & Education

Born on February 24, 1984, in Yerevan, Armenia, Ellina Abovian immigrated to the United States as a one-year-old infant carried on the hopes and dreams of her immigrant parents. Her mother and father, both of Russian and Armenian descent, held graduate degrees but left everything behind in the Soviet Union to pursue greater opportunities in America for their children.

The Abovian family initially settled in Hollywood, California, before moving to Glendale, where Ellina spent her formative years. She attended Horace Mann Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, and Glendale High School—institutions that helped shape her deep connection to the Los Angeles community she would later serve as a journalist.

Growing up in an immigrant household, watching the evening news became an integral part of daily life. During the golden age of television news in the 1990s, young Ellina became enthralled by how news anchors spoke eloquently and commanded the screen. Rather than writing traditional book reports, she preferred performing in plays, combining her loves for storytelling, theater, writing, and television.

She pursued her passion formally at California State University, Los Angeles, earning a degree in broadcast journalism. During her studies, she gained valuable experience interning at CBS Television and working in production, marketing, and online publishing for LA2DAY.com.

Career Journey

Early Career & Market Hopping (2006–2011)

Abovian’s journalism career began with the classic “one-man-band” approach in San Luis Obispo, where she single-handedly filmed, wrote, and edited her own stories. This grueling experience exposed her to all aspects of news reporting and built the foundation for her versatility as a journalist.

She then moved to Fresno in California’s Central Valley, where she covered significant stories including the state’s devastating drought, wildfires, and numerous animal cruelty cases. Her time in Fresno honed her ability to report on complex environmental and social issues affecting local communities.

San Diego & Return to Los Angeles (2011–2013)

Before joining KTLA, Abovian worked at KSWB Fox 5 News in San Diego for two years. Despite building a successful career in San Diego, she always harbored a desire to return to her hometown of Los Angeles to tell stories that directly impacted the community she grew up in.

KTLA 5 News Era (2013–2026)

In 2013, Abovian achieved her dream when the head of KTLA 5 offered her a position specifically seeking someone who could represent the diverse culture of Los Angeles. For the next 11 years, she served as a general assignment reporter, becoming a fixture in Los Angeles living rooms and earning a reputation for authentic, compassionate storytelling.

At KTLA, she worked alongside legendary journalists including sam rubin, Lu Parker, and mark kriski. Her reporting covered everything from breaking news to human interest stories, always maintaining what she called “a responsibility to showcase character, open people’s eyes, and create better understanding with more compassion and empathy.”

During her tenure, she received the 2023 Excellence in Media award from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the Armenian American Museum in Glendale, cementing her role as a cultural ambassador for the Armenian community.

The Layoff & New Beginnings (February 2026)

On February 24, 2026—her 40th birthday—Abovian was “blindsided” by a layoff from KTLA as part of corporate restructuring by parent company Nexstar Media Group. The timing was particularly cruel, coming as she prepared to celebrate her milestone birthday.

In an emotional Instagram video, she confirmed: “Yes, it’s true. I’m not at KTLA anymore, and I won’t be returning. I was not expecting this. I was blindsided, and it hurts. It cuts deep because I cared about what I did.”

The layoffs also affected colleagues glen walker, Lu Parker, Mark Kriski, and kacey montoya, sparking industry-wide criticism from SAG-AFTRA regarding media consolidation’s impact on local news.

“Breaking Through” Podcast (2024–Present)

Even before her departure from KTLA, Abovian had begun diversifying her platform by launching “Breaking Through, The Ellina Abovian Podcast” in late 2024. The podcast features intimate conversations with thought leaders, psychologists, authors, and fellow journalists, exploring themes of personal growth, healing, and breakthrough moments.

Notable guests have included Dr. Kate Balestrieri (sex therapist), Sona Movsesian (Conan O’Brien’s assistant), and various experts on family dynamics and personal development. The podcast represents Abovian’s evolution from traditional broadcast journalist to digital content creator and thought leader.

Personal Life

Family & Relationships

Abovian is a proud single mother to two sons: Christopher (born July 24, 2016) and Nickolas Nazareth “Nicky” Abovian (born July 20, 2019). She was previously married, having celebrated 11 years of togetherness with her husband in February 2019, though the couple later divorced.

As a single mother navigating the demands of broadcast journalism, Abovian has been open about the challenges of balancing career and parenting. Following her layoff, she candidly shared: “I’m now processing what I’m going to do as a single mom to two kids. Life gets real when it gets real.”

Community Involvement

Deeply connected to her Glendale roots, Abovian and her sons frequent local hotspots including The Americana at Brand and the city’s numerous parks. She has been an outspoken advocate for Armenian cultural preservation and representation in media.

Her heritage remains central to her identity—she speaks four languages (English, Armenian, Russian, and French) and uses her platform to raise awareness about Armenian culture, history, and contemporary issues affecting the diaspora community.

Hobbies & Interests

Beyond journalism, Abovian enjoys cooking, dining out, hiking, painting, and watching movies. She is an avid traveler who takes every opportunity to explore new destinations. Her creative outlets extend beyond reporting into visual arts and culinary exploration.

Awards & Achievements

• 2023 Excellence in Media Award – Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
• Emmy Nomination – Recognized for excellence in broadcast journalism
• Armenian American Museum Host – Led groundbreaking ceremony in Glendale
• Community Impact Recognition – Multiple awards for human interest storytelling

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“Your best schooling comes from experience. If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish everything you want.”

“My job isn’t just a job. It’s fulfilling. I had to put in a lot of hard work, discipline and being away from family and home. My love for performance, storytelling and connecting with people became an integral part of my job.”

“KTLA is not the only mountain I’m ever going to climb. In fact, this is just the beginning.”

Controversies

While Abovian herself has maintained a professional reputation free from personal scandal, her departure from KTLA in February 2026 generated significant controversy regarding corporate media practices. The timing of her layoff—on her 40th birthday—sparked outrage among viewers and industry professionals alike.

SAG-AFTRA issued a strong statement criticizing parent company Nexstar Media Group’s restructuring, with union president Sean Astin stating: “By laying off journalists across the country, Nexstar is eroding the resources and talent that local communities rely on for trusted news.”

The incident highlighted broader concerns about media consolidation, with Nexstar pursuing a $6 billion acquisition of Tegna while simultaneously cutting local newsroom jobs. Abovian’s emotional transparency about being “blindsided” brought national attention to the human cost of corporate media restructuring.

Salary & Net Worth

Estimated Salary (Former): During her time at KTLA, industry sources estimated Abovian’s annual salary ranged between $45,000–$110,500, typical for experienced general assignment reporters in major markets.

Net Worth (2026): Ellina Abovian’s estimated net worth falls between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through:

• 11 years of broadcast journalism salary
• Podcast hosting and digital content creation
• Speaking engagements and event hosting
• Potential future media ventures and book deals

Following her layoff, Abovian’s income streams are expected to diversify through her podcast, potential freelance journalism, speaking engagements, and digital media opportunities.

Interesting Facts

1. Childhood Journalist: At age 9, Abovian launched the “Windsor Chronicle,” a newspaper documenting the daily happenings of her apartment complex, publishing four issues before trading her pen for a Super Nintendo.
2. Multilingual Talent: She speaks four languages fluently—English, Armenian, Russian, and French—allowing her to connect with diverse Los Angeles communities.
3. Theater Background: Preferred performing plays over writing book reports in school, foreshadowing her on-camera career.
4. Single Mom Advocate: Has been increasingly open about the challenges of single motherhood in the demanding news industry, resonating with working parents nationwide.
5. Birthday Layoff: Was fired on her 40th birthday, February 24, 2026, making national headlines for the unfortunate timing.
6. Podcast Pivot: Launched “Breaking Through” podcast in 2024, positioning herself for the digital media landscape before her traditional TV career ended.

Social Media Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old is Ellina Abovian? A: Ellina Abovian is 41 years old as of 2026. She was born on February 24, 1984, in Yerevan, Armenia.

Q: Is Ellina Abovian still married? A: No, Ellina Abovian is currently divorced and identifies as a single mother to her two sons, Christopher and Nicky.

Q: Why did Ellina Abovian leave KTLA? A: Abovian did not leave voluntarily—she was laid off on February 24, 2026 (her 40th birthday) as part of corporate restructuring by parent company Nexstar Media Group, along with several other longtime KTLA personalities.

Q: What is Ellina Abovian doing now? A: Following her departure from KTLA, Abovian is focusing on her podcast “Breaking Through,” exploring new media opportunities, and spending time with her two sons while navigating her next career chapter.

Q: What languages does Ellina Abovian speak? A: Ellina speaks four languages fluently: English, Armenian, Russian, and French.

Q: Where did Ellina Abovian go to college? A: She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Q: How many children does Ellina Abovian have? A: She has two sons: Christopher (born July 24, 2016) and Nickolas “Nicky” Abovian (born July 20, 2019).

Q: What is Ellina Abovian’s net worth? A: Her estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through her journalism career and media ventures.

Conclusion

Ellina Abovian’s journey from Armenian immigrant child to beloved Los Angeles television personality embodies the American dream her parents sacrificed everything to pursue. Over 11 years at KTLA 5 News, she didn’t just report stories—she became a trusted friend to viewers, a voice for the Armenian-American community, and an example of authentic journalism in an era of media consolidation.

Her unexpected departure in February 2026, while painful, has revealed her resilience and adaptability. Through her “Breaking Through” podcast and expanding digital presence, Abovian continues to evolve as a storyteller while navigating single motherhood and career reinvention at 40.

As she herself declared: “KTLA is not the only mountain I’m ever going to climb. In fact, this is just the beginning.” For fans who welcomed her into their living rooms for over a decade, the next chapter promises to be just as compelling as the last.

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